| Far from the perceived glitz and glamour of | | | | legendary, and competes for space only with |
| Hollywood, LA has so much else to offer. | | | | the Middle Eastern food, centered there and |
| | | | in Westwood, which includes some of the best |
| There's so much more than Rodeo Drive and the | | | | and most authentic Persian food in the world. |
| Sunset Strip to this vast city. Among these | | | | Westwood is also home to excellent Lebanese |
| is the burgeoning art scene in Chinatown. | | | | food. Los Angeles' Mexican food does not |
| Here, each Friday small clubs operate | | | | need to be spoken for, but for family type |
| slightly under-the radar, serving drinks to a | | | | restaurants, mainly in the tradition of the |
| young, hip crowd that can't be bothered to | | | | Jalisco region, try East Los Angeles proper. |
| make it to the Westside. As the eastside has | | | | There are many informal eateries throughout |
| gotten cooler, the art scene has re-centered | | | | the city, but perhaps the best Mexican food |
| itself, allowing a distinct and legitimate | | | | can be found in Allegria, on Sunset Blvd. in |
| encampment on Chinatown's Chungking Road. | | | | the Silverlake region. The line is |
| Gallery openings are roughly every two weeks | | | | formidable, but well worth it. |
| and offer the opportunity for public drinking | | | | |
| - something you might expect at an art | | | | The final aspect of less-seen Los Angeles is |
| gallery, though not necessarily in LA. Check | | | | the beach. For the best beach one must |
| the web for exact dates, but they are usually | | | | venture where others are effectively |
| Thursdays or Saturdays during the summer. | | | | dissuaded from going, the final frontier: |
| | | | Malibu. Though residents are hostile to |
| Another fun thing to do in Los Angeles that | | | | tourists, California law guarantees public |
| is easy to miss is hiking. You can hike | | | | access to the 27 miles of beautiful coastline |
| through lovely wildlife but see a view of a | | | | that are part of this wealthy and insular |
| vast urban space at the top. A wonderful | | | | city. Signs saying "coastal access" |
| view of the city is available from Griffith | | | | highlight spots of entrance, which may look |
| Park, and the pay off is much higher if you | | | | like nothing, but, after descending many |
| simply park in the neighboring Los Feliz | | | | stairs, you will generally come upon a |
| hills and climb to a peak, avoiding the | | | | beautiful and nearly abandoned beach. To |
| delays, bother and polluting of following the | | | | find these beaches, simply drive up the coast |
| line of cars to park at the observatory. | | | | highway past the Cross Creek mall, where you |
| Other fun hikes include Will Rogers State | | | | can stop for a coffee and likely see a |
| Park in Pacific Palisades, Runyon Canyon in | | | | celebrity, but persevere until it seems you |
| the Hollywood Hills and Fryman Canyon in | | | | must be part way to San Francisco. Until the |
| Studio City. For more intriguing culinary | | | | signs say "Entering Camarillo," you are still |
| fare, Los Angeles offers distinct ethnic food | | | | in Malibu and near discovering some of the |
| at quite low prices in less touristy areas. | | | | most beautiful beaches in the world. |
| The Thai cuisine in East Hollywood is | | | | |